怎么(zěnme) vs. 怎么样 (zěnme yàng)

Earlier we looked at some of the uses of 怎么 (zěnme), but make sure that you don’t confuse it with 怎么样 (zěnme yàng). Even though they look alike they mean completely different things. You can revisit the post Why are you so Stupid? to refresh yourself on the uses of 怎么 (zěnme). And below are some of the common uses of 怎么样 (zěnme yàng).

To ask about the state of someone/something

你最近怎么样？

Nǐ zuìjìn zěnme yàng?

How are you these days?

你工作怎么样？

Nǐ gōngzuò zěnme yàng?

How is your job?

To get someone’s opinion

跟我们一起去，怎么样？

Gēn wǒmen yīqǐ qù, zěnme yàng?

How about going together with us?

我们踢足球，怎么样？

Wǒmen tī zúqiú, zěnme yàng?

How about we play soccer?

Hope these examples gave you a better idea between the differences of 怎么 (zěnme) and 怎么样 (zěnme yàng).